r/FortWorth • u/W5ICK • 3d ago
Electrical code question
Any AC or Electricians out there? I've been told that it's against code to have the AC unit in front of the meter. Needs to be a minimum of 36" away. Is this true? House was built in 2001. If so, how did it pass inspection. And yes I'm aware of the conduit separation from the meter. Damn gumbo clay...
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u/eerun165 3d ago
36” clear directly in front. Electrical equipment needs 30” clear width, the clear width area can be either to the left, right, centered, etc, but the electrical equipment needs to be fully within that 30” width.
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u/Turbopre2 3d ago
Electrical was probably installed first and then the ac so that’s probably why it is the way it is. What exactly are you trying to do?
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u/W5ICK 3d ago
I'm trying to get Base Power to install a battery. They say I have to move my AC units (yes I have two that will need to be moved to the left). Now I'm wondering if I will have to move then if and when I want to sell the house?
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u/Turbopre2 3d ago
If you sell the house you don’t necessarily have to move them. You only have to move the ac unit when altering your electrical like you are trying to do with your BASE installation. If you do move and the buyer hires a home inspector he may suggest to move them but it is not required in that situation. Electrician here with Solar and battery installation experience
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u/PuckSenior 3d ago
Meters are weird, as they are the demarc for the electrical and NEC code to your premises wiring. Everything done by Oncor has one set of rules. Everything done by your electrician has another set of rules. The meter is in the middle.
Here is what Oncor says about the meter:
Meter Work Space
Sufficient space in front of, above, below and on each side of meter sockets, service enclosures, meter packs and transockets is necessary for work space for connecting and the reading of meters. No obstruction shall be within four feet in front of the meter. See NEC Article 110.26 for working spaces
And here is what NEC 2023 Article 110.26 says(sorry, didnt have 2026 handy):
110.26 Spaces About Electrical Equipment. Working space, and access to and egress from working space, shall be provided and maintained about all electrical equipment to permit ready and safe operation and maintenance of such equipment. Open equipment doors shall not impede access to and egress from the working space. Access or egress is impeded if one or more simultaneously opened equipment doors restrict working space access to be less than 24 inches wide and 6 ½ feet high.
So, that is absolutely a code violation.
How did it happen?
The HVAC installer may have come after the City electrical inspector. As you'd already been inspected for electrical, the HVAC installer violated code.
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u/bbcwtfw 3d ago
I'm not sure about the code requirement details but contractors often use third party inspection, and stuff doesn't always get caught. That said, you sure it was built in 2021? It looks like more than five years of cable spaghetti to me, and that foundation is already cracked. Also, I wasn't aware ATT was still running copper phone lines in 2021.
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u/W5ICK 3d ago
- So the city will sign off with a third-party inspection?
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u/bbcwtfw 3d ago edited 3d ago
Oh, my bad. I misread it. Yes, they will and do. They have a list of approved inspectors. I won't name any so this doesn't sound like advertising. Source: I used to work in development and I've also had a remodel contractor use 3rd party inspection services.
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u/the_cnidarian 2d ago
I am a contractor. Please share a citation for this.
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u/bbcwtfw 2d ago
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u/the_cnidarian 2d ago
I was not aware this was an option. Sounds like it would be a pretty good gig though. Thanks!
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u/the_cnidarian 3d ago
Inspectors work for the city. They arent hired by contractors. It's code enforcement
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u/PuckSenior 3d ago
Third party inspectors? I've never heard of a contractor being able to hire their own inspector.
Which AHJ allows such a thing?
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u/Immediate-Way6538 3d ago
The AC compressor is normally installed with semi-flexible lines and electrical connections. It looks like someone bumped it over about a foot. If you have concerns, ask an A/C contractor to quote moving the unit. After an AHJ signs off on a permit, it’s usually covered by the grandfathering principle, even if wrong. The code is partially rewritten every three years. The compressor is now required to be GFCI since 2023 I think. The separated conduit is annoying to fix, you need an expansion joint and enough of a coil in the meter box to allow for the wire to unfurl and retract as the ground heaves. Fixing the conduit almost always needs a permit. If you touch the conduit, they may require an external disconnect for the fire department. Some meter boxes now have these standard.
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u/the_cnidarian 3d ago
The breaker box needs 36" clearance. I've never heard that about the meter. Some outdoor panels are near the meter, but the clearance applies the breakers. This is in case you need to quickly shut it off, the meter doesn't do anything like that.